From Farm to Flat

THIS IS HARD!

I’ve been using that hashtag on Instagram. #fromfarmtoflat #urbanliving Aside from being a fabulous, positive move it has been one of the hardest things we’ve done in 30 years.

We are physically spent.

We are cash broke.

We are mentally tired.

We are spiritually invigorated.

That’s us in a nutshell.

We went from 14+ acres to 14+ stairsteps from main living to office loft…not counting the 19 steps from the front door of the building to our front door! If I come in the front door of the house, into our flat and continue up to the office loft – I have climbed 34 steps.

My knee hurts!

Has it been worth it? Absolutely, YES! When I look out the door from my desk in the morning while the sun is still in the east and I’m looking north, this is what I see:

The View:

The crepe Myrtles are blooming and I can plainly see the tops of the trees. From my desk, I cannot see the sidewalk but I do see the church in the distance and its beautifully manicured side yard. The hanging plant on the balcony is the only gift my hubs I mean I got for Father’s Day. The bird feeder? Is empty but I intend to fill it and enjoy the chirping of a few seed eaters! There is a huge holly tree in the northeast corner of the front yard and if there are holly berries? One can expect to see a Cedar Waxwing — and we did, Sonday morning while sitting on our third floor balcony.

photo from fine art america.

City Bird-Watching

As soon as I come across our mini field glasses, I’ll place them on the balcony for bird-watching. In the meantime, North Carolina wrens are perusing the hanging red and white Vinca and eating little bugs off its leaves. The cardinals are proficient in the neighborhood and the couples are busy feeding their young. And, does Statesville ever have a squirrel population – I’ve never seen so many squirrels!

NEW CHURCH

The church we have decided on is Grace Covenant, a Four-Square church. Our daughter’s family attends and it’s a perfect fit. The pastor is new, so I have given the four of us the title of “the new kids on the block.” This coming Sonday we will take part in a pot luck lunch and a Q&A session with the new leadership.

THINGS YET TO DO

We continue to await delivery of our couch and I’m still figuring out where to hang pictures. The platform beds, made by hubs, are up and I ordered mattresses from Amazon. Still need sheets and spreads. Dining chairs still need recovering. Bedroom window treatments are desperately needed. Yet, we are having the time of our 60 and 70-something lives!

172 Update

We should close on the house sale NEXT week. Prayers are appreciated and (always) needed. A couple more balcony photos and we’ll call this update DONE!

A few more flat updates and we’ll be back to reg’ler. Thanks for coming along on this very exciting journey with us.

Related

Reader Interactions

Comments

Oh, that I could visit on your front balcony. But those 19 first steps to get to your front door would require at least a glass of iced tea before I took the next 14+ steps to your office loft to admire your latest work. Enjoy the adventure!

Dear Susan and Lowell, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful pictures (and not all-wonderful) experiences up to this point. It is good to be able to picture you in your new surroundings.
We wish you good health and much happiness in your new adventure ! You will be missed,
Ali and Garo

Wow, Susan, I know that was a hard move after so many years. It’s probably something my husband and I should think about since we can’t really completely care for this property we have. I’m just not ready to move away from a rural area yet.
Love the view of the flowers and I know you enjoy birds! Blessings to you, Susan, as you and your husband begin this new chapter of your lives! xo I’m happy to be your neighbor today at #Let’sHaveCoffee.

Oh, I am so very grateful that the Lord is moving you step-by-step (literally) into His new place for you! And what a gift to see that Cedar Waxwing on your Sonday morning. I love those birds–they make the sweetest whisper sound. Will keep praying for the closing next week!

Susan, I took some time yesterday to catch up on your moving journey … what an adventure you are on! I loved your former home, but your new one is lovely too … now I’m missing the crepe myrtles I had when we lived in Arkansas! Hugs, friend!

A great move to a ‘New Paradise’. The flat is coming along nicely! New beginnings…ahhh sounds so refreshing, even with all the work involved. Puts a smile on my face to know you and Lowell are happy with the move and ready for adventure. Getting up those steps everyday may be a challenge, but isn’t that what keeps us going in life. The challenge to step up to the plan Jesus has for us. Maybe you and Lowell will be building leg power to run a marathon, who knows! lol I love you both❤️

I’m so excited for you! You have Prayed so hard, and of course Our Lord answer your prayers, in his time. This is a new season for you, so much fun. I love your little neighborhood, can’t wait to come and visit with y’all

Hi Susan,
Due to technical difficulties on my blog this week, I just your comment to me and I’m so grateful you checked in to see how I was doing! I’m following your journey on Instagram and seeing how you are meeting the winds of change blowing in your life! It’s an adventure, isn’t it, sometimes hard and sometimes glorious?! Can’t wait to hear the next chapter! xoxo

I’ve been praying for you -and missing you, too! Praying for the grace – and rest and energy to settle in and make this new space and new community your own, in His timing, with His favor all over and around you! (And yes –praying for the final closing of the house sale!)